By: Amy Grant
Source: StarkBros
Photo Source: Unsplash,
Few things are as delicious as homegrown cranberries, and the success of your harvest begins right with the planting site and method. For maximum growth and yields later on, give your plants the best foundation possible.
NOTE: This is part 4 in a series of 11 articles. For a complete background on how to grow cranberry plants, we recommend starting from the beginning.
Before Planting
Before you plant, check your soil pH. This can be done by contacting your local County Extension Office for information about soil testing in your area or purchase one of our digital meters for quick and accurate results. Ideally, your cranberries need a soil pH between 4.5-5.5. To increase the acidity of your soil, use a soil acidifier. Steer clear of soils that are extremely heavy or very poorly drained.
Location and Spacing
Pick a location with full sun, good drainage and very fertile soil. Cranberries have a shallow root system that only grows in the top six inches or so.
Space your cranberry plants 2' to 3' apart. They will only grow about 8-10 inches high.
Amend the soil with organic matter such as dehydrated cow manure, garden compost, peat moss or our Coco-Fiber Potting Medium.
Planting Tips
Don’t plant too deep. The crown should be right at the soil level, with the roots just under the surface.
If your cranberries are bare root, plant them at same depth as they were grown in the nursery row.
If your berries are potted, plant them at the same depth as they were in the pot.
Give your new plant a soaking with a solution of Stark® Tre-Pep® Fertilizer. Soil should stay moist without being soaked. (If planting in the fall, wait to fertilize until spring for best results.)
Additional Notes
Cranberries ripen over several weeks, so plan to pick more than once.
Protect your crop from birds with a Garden Net.
Cranberries benefit from a layer of sand every few years.
No pruning is necessary at planting time.
Soil Preparation for Cranberry Plants
Preparing your soil before you plant will greatly improve your plant’s performance and promote healthy, vigorous growth. It is a good idea to have your soil tested to determine if it is lacking in any essential minerals and nutrients. This can be done through your County Extension Office or with one of our digital meters.
The goal of soil preparation is to replenish vital minerals and nutrients, as well as break up and loosen any compacted soil.
NOTE: This is part 5 in a series of 11 articles. For a complete background on how to grow cranberry plants, we recommend starting from the beginning.
When To Prepare Your Soil Soil preparation can be done at any time that the ground is not too wet or frozen. Your trees may be planted even when temperatures are quite cool. If a hard frost is expected, it is advisable to delay planting for a while until temperatures become more moderate. Generally, as long as your soil is workable, it is fine to plant.
How To Prepare Your Soil
Roots grow faster when they’re spread out. Dig the hole deep and wide enough so the root system has plenty of room to easily expand. Keep the topsoil in a separate pile so you can put it in the bottom of the hole, where it’ll do the most good.
To loosen the soil, mix dehydrated cow manure, garden compost or peat moss (up to 1/3 concentration) into your pile of topsoil. Make sure the peat moss you get is either baled sphagnum or granular peat. You can also add our Coco-Fiber Potting Medium or 2 or more inches of organic material and work in evenly with the existing soil.
Your lawn can provide you with ideal organic materials such as grass clippings and shredded leaves. Not only will the grass and leaves break down to provide soil nutrients, but they will help loosen the soil as well. You can gather these in the fall with spring planting in mind.
Common soil amendments:
compost
sand
manure
lime
peat moss
Adding organic materials, such as our Coco-Fiber Potting Medium and compost will improve most every soil type. Organic materials bind sandy soil particles so they retain moisture and nutrients better. They also break apart clay and silt particles, so that water can infiltrate and roots can spread.
Soil Types
Clay and silt soils are made of very small particles. They feel slick and sticky when wet. Clay and silt hold moisture well, but resist water infiltration, especially when they are dry. Often puddles form on clay or silt soils, and they easily become compacted.
Loam soil is a mix of sand, silt or clay, and organic matter. Loam soils are loose and look rich. When squeezed in your fist, moist loam will form a ball, which crumbles when poked with a finger. Loam soils normally absorb water and store moisture well. Loam soils can be sandy or clay based, and will vary in moisture absorption and retention accordingly.
Sandy soils contain large particles that are visible to the unaided eye, and are usually light in color. Sand feels coarse when wet or dry, and will not form a ball when squeezed in your fist. Sandy soils stay loose and allow moisture to penetrate easily, but do not retain it for long-term use.
Cranberries and lingonberries require little fertilizer. In early spring, use a small handful of fertilizer (such as 5-10-10) and apply in a circle around each mature plant. Use smaller amounts for plants up to three years old. Stop fertilizing by late June.
Pest & Disease Control for Cranberry Plants
Every plant has the future potential for disease and insect damage. Factors such as location and weather will play a part in which issues your plants encounters. If available, disease-resistant varieties are the best option for easy care; and for all types of plants, proper maintenance (such as watering, pruning, spraying, weeding, and cleanup) can help keep most insects and diseases at bay.
NOTE: This is part 7 in a series of 11 articles. For a complete background on how to grow cranberry plants, we recommend starting from the beginning.
Aphids They are the size of a pin head and vary in color depending on the species. Clusters on stems and under leaves, sucking plant juices. Leaves then curl, thicken, yellow and die. Produce large amounts of a liquid waste called “honeydew”. Aphid sticky residue becomes a growth media for sooty mold.
Natural Control
Sometimes you can knock them off with a strong stream of water from your garden hose.
White Fly
Adults are tiny, white winged insects found mainly on the underside of leaves. Nymph emerge as white, flat, oval shapes. Larvae are the size of a pinhead. Suck plant juices from leaves causing them to turn yellow, appear to dry or fall off plants.
Natural Control
Traps
Mealybugs Adults are 1/4” long, flat, oval shaped with a white waxy covering. Yellow to orange eggs are laid within an egg sac. Crawlers are yellow to brown in color. Over winters as an egg or very immature young in or near a white, cottony egg sac, under loose bark or in branch crotches, mostly found on north side. Damage is by contamination of fruit clusters with egg sacs, larvae, adults and honeydew, which promotes growth of black sooty mold.
Control
Consult County Extension Agent
Botrytis Blossom Blight
Usually begins on plant debris, weak or inactive plant tissue than invades healthy plant tissue cause spotting and decay of flowers and foliage and fruits or berries.
Natural Control
Fall cleanup is essential.
Bacterial Leaf Spot
First appears as small dark green, translucent spots that later enlarge and turn black. Usually scattered over the entire surface of the leaf.
Control
Consult County Extension Agent
Fruitworm
Adult is yellow to brown sawfly beetle, 1/4” long. Larvae are brown and white, 1/8” long. Adults make slits in flower buds and larvae feed on berries.
Control
Consult County Extension Agent
Armyworm
Newly hatched worms are white with black heads. Mature worms are light tan or dark brown with dark or orange back and side stripes. They feed on the leaves of plants.
Control
Consult County Extension Agent
Pruning Cranberry Plants
Pruning is an important part of proper edible plant care, and in the case of cranberries, it’s particularly easy to do.
NOTE: This is part 8 in a series of 11 articles. For a complete background on how to grow cranberry plants, we recommend starting from the beginning.
Pruning Tips
After the plant begins bearing regularly, usually in the third year, rake lightly in spring just before growth begins.
Lift and cut long runners— this will encourage uprights to form. Only prune long runners, not uprights.
Remove any dead or damaged growth.
Watering Cranberry Plants
Cranberries and lingonberries require an average amount of water. If you receive about an inch of rainfall every 10 days or so, your plants will be fine. If you have a really dry growing season, give your new plants a good, thorough soaking with a hose.
How can you introduce garden vegetables, fruits and foods into your diet. How could it improve your health? Why?
Share the wealth of health with your friends and family by sharing this article with 3 people today.
If this article was helpful to you, donate to the Shidonna Raven Garden and Cook E-Magazine Today. Thank you in advance.